Meaning & use
mixed bags
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UK/ˌmɪkst ˈbæɡz/
US/ˌmɪkst ˈbæɡz/
“mixed bags” is a form of “mixed bag”.
Meaning
nounpluralinformal
Things made up of very different parts or qualities, some good and some poor, so the overall impression is uneven.
Grammar: Plural of mixed bag: the results were mixed bags.
Patterns
- a mixed bag of something
Her last two albums were mixed bags of great songs and filler.
The reviews of the new cafes were mixed bags.
Both seasons were mixed bags for the team.
Word forms
| singular | mixed bag |
|---|
Common combinations
- a bit of mixed bags
- The restaurants in town are a bit of mixed bags.
- prove mixed bags
- Early attempts proved mixed bags.
- mixed bags of talent
- Talent shows are often mixed bags of talent.
- usually mixed bags
- Sequels are usually mixed bags.
Synonyms and how they differ
- assortments
- Assortments simply means collections of different kinds and has no hint of uneven quality.
- hodgepodges
- Hodgepodges stresses a messy, random mix, which is harsher than mixed bags.
- patchy results
- Patchy results stresses uneven quality but is not an idiom and sounds more formal.
Opposites
uniform sets
Word family
Practice
A critic calls two films 'mixed bags'. What does she mean?
Choose one answer.
A mixed bag has both good and bad elements. The other options do not match the idiom.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “mixed bags”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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